Author Topic: 1932 movie "Rasputin and the Empress"  (Read 52199 times)

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Janet_W.

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Re: Rasputin and the Empress
« Reply #30 on: December 14, 2005, 11:39:55 AM »
Glad you mentioned it, I. Opal! I've been trying to track down a copy of that book for some time. One of these days I'll find a copy; I'm sure Amazon.com could oblige me, but first I want to clear the holidays!


Grishka

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Re: Rasputin and the Empress
« Reply #31 on: December 14, 2005, 03:22:58 PM »
I need to see that film!

It's a shame that Rasputin's murderer was successful in sueing MGM. It just doesn't seem fair to me. He not only got away with murder, but he was proud of it.

Imperial.Opal

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Re: Rasputin and the Empress
« Reply #32 on: December 15, 2005, 05:38:35 AM »
  :)   Janet - W
                   Please email me your postal address and I will gladly mail my copy to you, as I live in Sydney, Australia, it may take some time with the Christmas and New Year holidays, have a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful Happy New Year 2006. Regards, Imperial Opal.  :)  :D  ;)


ferngully

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Re: Rasputin and the Empress
« Reply #33 on: December 15, 2005, 09:44:20 AM »
interesting sounding film :) lets hope i'll come across it sometime
selina                         xxxxxxxxx

Janet_W.

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Re: Rasputin and the Empress
« Reply #34 on: December 15, 2005, 04:06:38 PM »
Opal, I will PM you later today or tomorrow with my address, and I thank you for your generosity . . . I have a few duplicates of Romanov-oriented books, so maybe we can arrange a swap!

Many thanks for your thoughtfulness--

Janet

Offline koloagirl

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1932 movie "Rasputin and the Empress"
« Reply #35 on: May 02, 2007, 04:30:27 PM »
 :D

Aloha all!

I just caught on TMC channel - the 1932 movie "Rasputin and the Empress".  While I have heard about this film for years, I have never had the opportunity to see it -- just curious if anyone else has had the opportunity and what their thoughts were on it.   ???

It is of course notable for being the only film in which John, Lionel and Ethel Barrymore were in together -- also because of the lawsuit Prince Yussupov filed against the studio, now all films must have the disclaimer "no resemblance to any persons living or dead.....".

It was pretty wild I have to say -- the whole putting members of the IF into a trance (Alexei) and having them do Rasputin's bidding -- they did show OTMA also -- but Maria was the only one really to have many lines -- and I was kinda uncomfortable at the scene where Rasputin goes into her bedroom -- uh-oh!  The scene were "Natasha" (really supposed to be Irina) was raped by Rasputin was cut out of the film after the lawsuit, so it gets pretty choppy and you can't quite figure out why all of a sudden she goes from practically worshipping him to being terrified -- unless you know scenes were cut.

The "finale" between the character supposed to be Yussupov and Rasputin was pretty rough!  Lots of Rasputin bashing with a bullet to the shoulder of the Prince also -- all in all it was pretty entertaining and I thought it was actually more respectful of the IF than many more current films have been.  I also thought while I was watching this that it was pretty recent history in 1932! 

Anyone else's thoughts?
Janet R.

Offline Sarushka

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Re: 1932 movie "Rasputin and the Empress"
« Reply #36 on: May 02, 2007, 07:47:02 PM »
Dang, I wish I hadn't missed that showing -- and me a TCM junkie.  It's not scheduled to be shown in the near future, either. :(


Maybe if a bunch of us vote for it on TCM's website, they'll run it again. Here's the link:
http://www.tcmdb.com/title/title.jsp?stid=388

Click on "suggest this movie" in the right-hand column, just below where it says "playing on TCM."
THE LOST CROWN: A Novel of Romanov Russia -- now in paperback!
"A dramatic, powerful narrative and a masterful grasp of life in this vanished world." ~Greg King

Robert_Hall

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Re: 1932 movie "Rasputin and the Empress"
« Reply #37 on: May 02, 2007, 08:39:57 PM »
It is available on vhs. Amazon lists it.

Offline koloagirl

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Re: 1932 movie "Rasputin and the Empress"
« Reply #38 on: May 05, 2007, 02:24:31 PM »
 :)

I wonder if they will ever release it on DVD -- my VHS just broke and I'm debating over whether to purchase a combo DVD/VHS machine or not.

I just really found the film fascinating -- and apparently many people associated directly with the film were Russian emigrees -- I believe the screen writer knew Prince Yussupov?  Even the costumes weren't too bad -- altho' much more 1930's vintage than the era portrayed.

And as I said before, when this film was made -- the Romanov massacre would have been pretty recent history.  And I'll admit, I'm a sucker for the Barrymore's - overacting or not!
 ::)
Janet R.

Robert_Hall

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Re: 1932 movie "Rasputin and the Empress"
« Reply #39 on: May 05, 2007, 02:28:42 PM »
I am in the same boat, so to speak. My video play bit the dust as well.  Buy a new one or wait for the dvd?
However, the movie is pretty bad. I liked it because it  is the film the Youssopovs won the lawsuit against MGM.

Silja

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Re: 1932 movie "Rasputin and the Empress"
« Reply #40 on: May 07, 2007, 02:52:04 PM »
:D

and I thought it was actually more respectful of the IF than many more current films have been. 

Hm, it was interesting, but totally inaccurate historically. It for instance presented Alexandra as a champion of democracy. Very original  ;D

Offline koloagirl

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Re: 1932 movie "Rasputin and the Empress"
« Reply #41 on: May 09, 2007, 02:10:46 PM »
 ;D

Aloha all!

Oh yes, I loved how they made Nicky and Alix big proponents of the "Duma" -- and that Rasputin was dead set against it because it would lessen his power over the IF!  What a hoot!

As long as you don't take it seriously in any way, it is a fun film to watch!

Malama Pono,
Janet
Janet R.

Offline GDLynn

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Re: 1932 movie "Rasputin and the Empress"
« Reply #42 on: May 14, 2007, 10:20:29 AM »
I've got it taped off of the Tv....I like this movie! even if it was choppy...I didn't know Natasha was raped by Rasputin in the movie...wow not good...

Anastasia has one line in the movie(something about her papa's chair) and Maria has a lot (I didn't count)

All in all...it's a good movie....the end sense is great.

Imperial_Grounds

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Re: 1932 movie "Rasputin and the Empress"
« Reply #43 on: August 03, 2008, 04:54:37 PM »
Well, I downloaded it recently, but haven't had the time to watch it properly. But I have to say the scenery, sets and costumes are really good. Also I love Ethel as Alix, her voice suits the role of a caring mother, and her brother as Rasputin creeped me to be honest. Also the filming was good, and put something to the mood of the film. The revolution is really brief, as is the execution but I really got terrified when they were taken away, it's just the sense of the whole scene leading up to the end.

But it annoyed me the sound wasn't going synchronized with the movie, that might be the torrent, it is really annoying to me. It is clear when they speak, and during the execution scene you start to hear the guns when they are already firing...

But in fact I love Classic movies, it depends what kind of film it is, so I should be able to enjoy this one.
« Last Edit: May 15, 2009, 01:57:08 PM by Alixz »

Imperial_Grounds

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Re: 1932 movie "Rasputin and the Empress"
« Reply #44 on: September 28, 2008, 02:05:42 PM »
I just watched the whole thing It has great sets and costumes, the Barymore's really did a bit of overacting at some times, but I love Ethel as Alix, her voice has something. The most creepy scenes in here are the ones when Rasputin takes a peek in Maria's room and when Rasputin 'teaches' Alexei how he'll become his instrument(the fly-scene), quite creepy, and the execution at the end is really short but the whole thing leading up to it is so tense and strong, you really sense the danger.

It's not accurate at all, but enjoyable to watch and it clearly is an anti-Soviet movie, portraying Nick and Alix as rulers who wanted to share the power with the people. Charming movie, but inaccurate.

And now a bit on the torrent I posted earlier: Is it me or isn't it synchronized - it seems that they talk a bit too soon,